Team USA will play in Manila for the 2023 FIBA World Cup — can you predict who among the NBA stars will be coming to compete?
One of the biggest sporting events of the year is happening right here in the Philippines: the 2023 FIBA World Cup.
Ever since the Philippines chose Team USA to play their group stage matches here in the country’s local basketball courts and arenas, Filipino basketball fans have all been wondering the same thing — which NBA stars will be coming to play?
No one can know for sure just yet. But in the meantime, we can speculate.
So, let’s take a look at Team USA’s previous rosters.
Who played in the 2019 FIBA World Cup?
After winning back-to-back World Cup titles in 2010 and 2014, Team USA came into the 2019 edition looking to win a third consecutive title, to become the first country to do so.
This was the 12-man roster the country sent to do the job (and the teams they played for at the time):
- Harrison Barnes (Sacramento Kings)
- Jaylen Brown (Boston Celtics)
- Joe Harris (Brooklyn Nets)
- Brook Lopez (Milwaukee Bucks)
- Khris Middleton (Milwaukee Bucks)
- Donovan Mitchell (Utah Jazz)
- Mason Plumlee (Denver Nuggets)
- Marcus Smart (Boston Celtics)
- Jayston Tatum (Boston Celtics)
- Myles Turner (Indiana Pacers)
- Kemba Walker (Boston Celtics)
- Derrick White (San Antonio Spurs)
Leading the team was head coach Gregg Popovich, along with assistant coaches Steve Kerr, Lloyd Pierce, and Jay Wright.
However, with several of the NBA’s biggest stars opting out of the tournament, Team USA came home from the 2019 World Cup after a seventh-place finish.
In the quarterfinals, the American team lost to France, effectively putting an end to their international game-winning streak of 58.
Will Team USA send a stronger team this year in order to redeem themselves from their previous World Cup result?
Who played in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics?
After a disappointing run at the 2019 World Cup, Team USA saw a much better turnout at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Always a standout in the Olympics, the United States had won three consecutive gold medals prior to 2020. To make it four straight wins for the stars and stripes, this was the roster they sent to Tokyo (and the teams they played for at the time):
- Bam Adebayo (Miami Heat)
- Devin Booker (Phoenix Suns)
- Kevin Durant (Brooklyn Nets)
- Jerami Grant (Detroit Pistons)
- Draymond Green (Golden State Warriors)
- Jrue Holiday (Milwaukee Bucks)
- Keldon Johnson (San Antonio Spurs)
- Zach LaVine (Chicago Bulls)
- Damian Lillard (Portland Trail Blazers)
- JaVale McGee (Denver Nuggets)
- Khris Middleton (Milwaukee Bucks)
- Jayson Tatum (Boston Celtics)
With a star-studded team, the United States went on to win at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics — their fourth straight Olympic gold.
Who are the other NBA stars we might expect in the 2023 World Cup?
While the rosters for every country are yet to be finalized, these are some NBA stars that are likely to compete for their countries:
- Jordan Clarkson (Philippines)
- Luka Doncic (Slovenia)
- Kristaps Porzingis (Latvia)
- Giannis Antetokounmpo (Greece)
- Thanasis Antetokounmpo (Greece)
- Danilo Gallinari (Italy)
With other countries still yet to qualify for the World Cup, there are still more names that could be added to the list.
Who among the NBA stars are you hoping to see in the tournament this August?
Banner images from Dime on Twitter.
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